Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a serum-free medium for culturing of DS cells containing platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), or to a method for culturing of dermal sheath (DS) cells, using serum-free medium comprising PDGF.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pigmentation skin model that comprises: a first cell group containing fibroblasts damaged by light irradiation, said first cell group being seeded on a first cell culture substratum; and a second cell group containing melanocytes and keratinocytes, said second cell group being applied onto the first cell group. The present invention also provides a method for producing the pigmentation skin model, and a method for evaluating a factor for treating or preventing pigmentation of the skin, said method comprising using the pigmentation skin model.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a composition for reconstituting human skin tissue having hair follicles, the composition characterized by containing human epidermal cells and human dermal cells, the human dermal cells containing cell groups of human hair papilla derived from non-embryos via spheroid formation; and a human skin tissue model animal to which said composition is applied. The invention also provides a method for producing said composition and animal.

Abstract: Provided is an identification method for dermal sheath cup cells (DSCC) in hair follicle-derived cells, said method being characterized by comprising using the expression level of GREM2 gene as an index. Also provided is a method for evaluating a composition for hair follicle regeneration which contains hair follicle-derived cells, said method being characterized by comprising determining the ratio and/or activity of dermal sheath cup cells (DSCC) in the hair follicle-derived cells with the use of the expression level of GREM2 gene as an index.

Abstract: An agent comprising one or more components selected from among cowberry derivatives, mangosteen derivatives, scutellaria root derivatives, inositol and inositol phosphate, as an active ingredient, is a novel agent that can effectively promote production of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), which contributes to production of mesenchymal stem cells and stabilization of stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: Provided is a method for regenerating hair follicles by transplanting a composition containing CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells (DSc) to a human. The composition may be prepared by sorting CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells from a hair follicle tissue by use of a cell-sorting technique along with an antibody to CD36. The composition may also contain dermal papilla cells (DPc).

Abstract: This method, which screens drugs that activate the skin, is characterized by causing candidate drugs to act on vascular endothelial cells, and selecting drugs that enhance the expression of PDGF-BB by the cells as a skin activation agent.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a serum-free medium suitable for culturing of DS cells. The present invention relates to a serum-free medium for culturing of DS cells containing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or to a method for culturing of dermal sheath (DS) cells, using serum-free medium comprising PDGF.

Abstract: In order to provide a tomographic image analyzing apparatus which is simple and which obtains stable results, the tomographic image analyzing apparatus according to this invention includes an image standardizing unit which transforms PET images, in advance of tomographic image analysis, so that the contour of the brain of an subject appearing in the PET images become the contour of a brain represented by standard data. By carrying out such transforming operation before the analysis, there is no need to acquire MRI images like before, to be able to ease the burden on the subject. And according to this invention, the time of analysis is shortened. Further, according to this invention, an analysis of time variations of radioactive drug distribution is conducted with respect to a corresponding site on standardized PET images which corresponds to the ROI on the standard data. This can make analysis results stable.

Abstract: Provided is a method for regenerating hair follicles by transplanting a composition containing CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells (DSc) to a human. The composition may be prepared by sorting CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells from a hair follicle tissue by use of a cell-sorting technique along with an antibody to CD36. The composition may also contain dermal papilla cells (DPc).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a serum-free medium suitable for culturing of DS cells. The present invention relates to a serum-free medium for culturing of DS cells containing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or to a method for culturing of dermal sheath (DS) cells, using serum-free medium comprising PDGF.

Abstract: This method, which screens drugs that activate the skin, is characterized by causing candidate drugs to act on vascular endothelial cells, and selecting drugs that enhance the expression of PDGF-BB by the cells as a skin activation agent.

Abstract: In order to provide a tomographic image analyzing apparatus which is simple and which obtains stable results, the tomographic image analyzing apparatus according to this invention includes an image standardizing unit which transforms PET images, in advance of tomographic image analysis, so that the contour of the brain of an subject appearing in the PET images become the contour of a brain represented by standard data. By carrying out such transforming operation before the analysis, there is no need to acquire MRI images like before, to be able to ease the burden on the subject. And according to this invention, the time of analysis is shortened. Further, according to this invention, an analysis of time variations of radioactive drug distribution is conducted with respect to a corresponding site on standardized PET images which corresponds to the ROI on the standard data. This can make analysis results stable.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating dermal stem cells, having the steps of subjecting cells separated from the skin by enzyme treatment to suspension culture, and isolating cells positive for stem cell markers from the cultured cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating dermal stem cells, having the steps of subjecting cells separated from the skin by enzyme treatment to suspension culture, and isolating cells positive for stem cell markers from the cultured cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells (DSc).